Upholding Confidentiality with Our Community Neighbors

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Purpose

To ensure the confidentiality of personal information collected through Feeding Wisconsin’s FoodShare Helpline and outreach activities, in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Background

Feeding Wisconsin is a statewide partnership of Feeding America food banks and programs supporting food access and hunger relief across all 72 counties and 11 Tribal Nations. Through the FoodShare Helpline, we assist community members in applying for or renewing FoodShare—Wisconsin’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—and in accessing local food resources.

Confidentiality

Policy Feeding Wisconsin and its network are prohibited from releasing any personal information of individuals seeking assistance through the FoodShare Helpline. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Residential address

  • County of residence

  • Case or application number

  • Any other identifiable or sensitive information

This information must not be shared with any individual or entity not directly associated with the administration of SNAP. Authorized entities include:

  • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

  • The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), specifically the Division of Medicaid Services

This policy is based on guidance from the SNAP Outreach Plan, Section 6.2, and relevant legal citations:

“Case file information on SNAP recipients, including names of recipients, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information is considered confidential and may not be released.

Disclosure of information obtained from recipients may be made only to persons directly connected with the administration of SNAP or to others provided that the program recipient signs a release form documenting their agreement to the specific release. Such an agreement shall not be a condition of receipt of benefits.”

(7 CFR 272.1(c); Section 11(e)(8) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended)

Contact Information

If you have questions about this policy or encounter a confidentiality concern, please contact:

FoodShare Helpline Phone: 1-877-366-3635 Hay asistencia disponible en español.

Feeding Wisconsin in an equal opportunity provider.

Policy is subject to change. Contact your local agency or the FoodShare Helpline for any updates. The FoodShare Helpline is a service of Feeding Wisconsin and its member food banks. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.